Leaf Apex and Base Shapes

This page is all about the shapes of leaf bases and apices.  Photos and writeups are © Ohio State University.

	Acuminate - tapering with somewhat concave sides to a protracted, acute point.		Retuse - notched slightly at a usually obtuse apex.		Acute - sharp, tapering with essentially straight or slightly convex sides to a point.
	Emarginate - shallow notch at the apex.		Obtuse - blunt, rounded enough for an angle of 90 to be placed inside.		Cuspidate - with an apical cusp--an abrupt, sharp, rigid point.
	Truncate - nearly or straight across at the apex.		Mucronate - short, sharp, spiny tip at the apex.

	Cuneate - wedge-shaped, narrowly triangular.		Oblique - slanting with unequal sides, lopsided.		Acute - sharp, tapering with straight sides at a 90 degree angle.
	Truncate - straight across at the end.		Rounded - rounded like an arc of a circle.		Cordate - heart shaped, having two rounded lobes forming a deep sinus.

Resources and Bibliography

"Glossary.", and linked articles.  Scarborough High School.  2005.
< http://www.scarborough.k12.me.us/high/projects/trees/glossary.htm>.  (21 Jun. 2005).

"Biology of Horticulture:  Structure.", and linked articles.  Ohio State University.  2002.
< http://www.hcs.ohio-state.edu/hort/bio.html#structure>.  (28 Mar. 2006).